DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.27192#0049
24 JAINA ARCHITECTURE. Book V.
walls is treated in a way suggesting
direct descent from the Mamallapuram
pagodas. To provide an upper shrine,
which is a feature in most of the larger
J aina temples, the first storey of the tower
had to be made a distinct feature, and
with a projecting front or entrance. This
temple has an outer open hallormandapa,
having extensions on each side, with an
inner hall about 20J ft. square inside, and
a door on the south side as well as
the entrance from the open mandap.
It is difficult from a photograph alone
to fix its age, but probably it belongs
to the earlier half or middle of the
1Oth century.
Palitana.
The grouping together of their
temples into what may be called “ Cities
of Temples” is a peculiarity which the
Jains have practised to a greater extent
than the followers of any other religion
in India. The Buddhists grouped their
stupas and viharas near and around
sacred spots, as at Sanchi, Manikyala,
or in Peshawar, and elsewhere; but they
were scattered, and each was supposed to
have a special meaning, or to mark some sacred spot. The
Hindus also grouped their temples, as at Bhuvanejrwar or
Benares, in great numbers together ; but in all cases, so far
as we know, because these were the centres of a population
who believed in the gods to whom the temples were dedicated,
and wanted them for the purposes of their worship. Neither
of these religions, however, possess such a group of temples,
for instance, as that at Satrunjaya, or Palitana—as it is usually
called from the neighbouring town, in Gujarat, about 35 miles
from Gogha and Bhaunagar, on its eastern coast (Woodcut
No. 277).
It is sacred to Rishabhanath, the first of the twenty-four
Jaina Tirthankaras, and covers the two summits of the Natrun-
jaya hill, each about 360 yards long, with the depression
between them. They are grouped in separate enclosures called
Tuks, surrounded by high battlemented walls, each having at
least one principal temple with varying numbers of smaller ones
276. Lakkundi Jaina Temple.
Scale 25 ft. to 1 in.
(From Plan by Mr H. Cousens.)
walls is treated in a way suggesting
direct descent from the Mamallapuram
pagodas. To provide an upper shrine,
which is a feature in most of the larger
J aina temples, the first storey of the tower
had to be made a distinct feature, and
with a projecting front or entrance. This
temple has an outer open hallormandapa,
having extensions on each side, with an
inner hall about 20J ft. square inside, and
a door on the south side as well as
the entrance from the open mandap.
It is difficult from a photograph alone
to fix its age, but probably it belongs
to the earlier half or middle of the
1Oth century.
Palitana.
The grouping together of their
temples into what may be called “ Cities
of Temples” is a peculiarity which the
Jains have practised to a greater extent
than the followers of any other religion
in India. The Buddhists grouped their
stupas and viharas near and around
sacred spots, as at Sanchi, Manikyala,
or in Peshawar, and elsewhere; but they
were scattered, and each was supposed to
have a special meaning, or to mark some sacred spot. The
Hindus also grouped their temples, as at Bhuvanejrwar or
Benares, in great numbers together ; but in all cases, so far
as we know, because these were the centres of a population
who believed in the gods to whom the temples were dedicated,
and wanted them for the purposes of their worship. Neither
of these religions, however, possess such a group of temples,
for instance, as that at Satrunjaya, or Palitana—as it is usually
called from the neighbouring town, in Gujarat, about 35 miles
from Gogha and Bhaunagar, on its eastern coast (Woodcut
No. 277).
It is sacred to Rishabhanath, the first of the twenty-four
Jaina Tirthankaras, and covers the two summits of the Natrun-
jaya hill, each about 360 yards long, with the depression
between them. They are grouped in separate enclosures called
Tuks, surrounded by high battlemented walls, each having at
least one principal temple with varying numbers of smaller ones
276. Lakkundi Jaina Temple.
Scale 25 ft. to 1 in.
(From Plan by Mr H. Cousens.)